1. Below is the full data set. Would you have launched?
Representing data
S2.3 Core Plenary
On 28th January 1986 the space shuttle, Challenger, was about to be launched.
Some engineers were worried that the temperature, 2C, was dangerously low.
They looked back at the last 23 launches and produced this scatter graph showing how the number of O-ring failures related to launch temperature.
Below is the full data set. Would you have launched?
In 1986 the Challenger was launched. The O-ring failed, it blew up and all the crew died.
Preamble
This true real-life example of statistics in use should be accessible to most pupils. It should encourage some class discussion and give pupils the opportunity to interpret a scatter graph, using it to justify a decision. The scatter graph will probably need to be drawn out in full by the pupils. It also throws up the whole question of reliability of extrapolating – especially in a life-or-death situation – and this will need emphasising to the pupils.
Possible content
Scatter graphs and their interpretation.
Resources
Graph paper.
Solution/Notes
The full scatter graph makes a case for a no-launch for a launch temperature of 2C. The decision to launch was actually made on the basis of the incomplete graph.
Original Material © Cambridge University Press 2009
Original Material © Cambridge University Press 2009